The South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) says there are a number of key focus areas in government’s Energy Action Plan that require additional intervention and swift action.

Although the association commends the progress already made with implementing the plan since mid-2022, it believes that, for the country’s energy security challenges to be addressed adequately, a holistic view of available renewable energy sources needs to be taken into consideration.

Not only does this provide consumers and businesses with options, but it also enables a fertile economic environment.

Wind, in particular, has demonstrated what a positive economic contribution it can make. To date, more than R9-billion worth of wind power has been built and commissioned in South Africa.

SAWEA believes the reduction of timeframes for regulatory approvals based on streamlining of environmental processes can significantly accelerate the development of large-scale transmission infrastructure.

While SAWEA acknowledges that the State utility has conceptualised various programmes that allow for the procurement of additional power when the grid is constrained, the association expects government to maintain consistency in so far as capacity procurement is concerned.

Accelerated procurement through the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme, as well as increased private offtakes, are key in this regard.

Moreover, SAWEA says government’s intention to enable businesses and households to invest in rooftop solar is a good start to providing reprieve from the adverse effects of loadshedding; however, it requires the development of a net billing framework for municipalities to enable customers to feed electricity from these installations onto the grid.

To complement this move, SAWEA is considering investments for integrating wind energy with solar at businesses and households, especially in areas that are prone to strong wind conditions.

Moreover, SAWEA deems it necessary that South Africa develops new human capital to meet the needs of a growing renewable energy economy.

Finally, to realise a thriving commercial wind power industry that supports government in fulfilling its mandate to secure energy for South Africa, there cannot be a repeat of the latest failed public procurement Bid Window 6, which resulted in loss of investment and market confidence.

Hence, SAWEA points out, the current system for allocating grid access remains a pressure point as it marginalises capable and willing organisations – that can contribute significantly to the supply of electricity.

“So, although additional determinations by government are welcome, this cannot be in the absence of a solution to increased grid capacity and in the absence of fair access to additional projects that are currently inactive,” SAWEA CEO Niveshen Govender concludes.